Playmakers make the difference for BataviaLate goal gives Bulldogs a hard-fought triumph

By Steve Nemeth

STREAMWOOD -- Most often in soccer, hard-fought, back-and-forth battles that result in 1-0 scores often have the losing coach lamenting about a lone breakdown on defense.

That wasn’t the case for Batavia's triumph over Bartlett, as Hawks coach Ben Beary explained after his crew’s season-opening setback Tuesday at Millennium Field.“Good teams make plays, and that's what Batavia did," Beary said. "That's why I told our kids they had no reason to hang their heads. We really didn't have any glaring mistakes; we just didn't get the outcome we'd prefer.”The visiting Bulldogs (1-0) got the payoff from increasing their attack in the second half of the Upstate Eight Conference crossover match that launched the 2014 campaign for both squads. With 6:09 left in regulation, Batavia standout Ian Larson made a textbook cross to the middle, enabling teammate Davis DiBiase to outrun a Bartlett defender for the match winner.

“I knew their defender was coming hard, and I had to get my foot on it,” DiBiase explained. “Once I saw Ian on the flank, I just wanted to get open in the middle. It felt good going off my foot.

“Goals can be critical at any time. If you’re down two or 3-1, a goal can switch momentum your way, but late in a 0-0 contest, it’s that much sweeter.”

As Larson saw it, “Adam (Heinz) gave me a great through ball down the line, and when I saw Davis making his run I focused on slipping him the ball in stride. He had a great finish, and we figured we could make it stand up.”

The contest actually began with Bartlett (0-1) putting the pressure on the Bulldogs with three-straight scoring chances early in a match in which Hawks regulars Oliver Saile and Igor Zwada were sidelined.

A.J. Santori’s shot from the right wing was caught by Batavia starting goalie John Faraone, who did the same to a Marcus Singleton boot from the left wing. Ryan Stratton gambled on a long-distance rocket, which Faraone blocked and then covered to avoid a rebound possibility.

A scramble in front of the Bartlett goal gave the Bulldogs an opportunity, but the shot sail wide left. Although Batavia had a 5-4 edge in overall attempts. The host Hawks held a 3-1 advantage for shots on goal.

“The first half was a little too sloppy for us,” Larson admitted. “We have some new kids still adjusting to the speed and what we needed to do. We had a lot more energy in the second half, and more composure allowed us to start creating chances. A lot didn’t go in, but fortunately we got one that made the difference.”

Batavia’s Kevin Collins had an early 1-v-1, only to have Bartlett goalie Jake Hasenstein make a huge save. At the opposite end, the Hawks’ Santori was denied by Kevin Fiddelke, who took over in net for the Bulldogs.

Bartlett’s Josh Merkel was having a solid game on defense, but a shoulder injury sent him to the sideline. That required the Hawks to further adjust their lineup.“Considering the adjustments we made, this still wasn't one of those games when it comes down to a mistake," Beary said. "I was happy with our ability to possess the ball for the most part. We just need to be a little more careful as to where on the field we give up the ball sometimes. Zane (Kaiser) moving over to the middle on defense for Josh is an indication of our versatility. I also thought Andrew (Gott) played well, especially against a team as strong as them.”

A Batavia shot off the crossbar was countered at the other end by Tim Riordan’s cross, which was initially bobbled before Fiddelke covered a potential scoring chance.

Kaiser had a major defensive clear for Bartlett that began a series of Batavia opportunities. Larson had a boot from the right tipped wide by Hasenstein, who also raced out and caught a chip attempt by Collins on a breakaway. A corner kick passed through the Hawk keeper’s hands, but the followup by Matt Allen sailed high.

With 10 minutes left, Brandon Yunker was denied by a Hasenstein save before Luke Laurich’s putback attempt went wide left. Hasenstein made another of his eight saves on a left side rocket from Yunker with 8:37 left.

“When Josh went down, things got a little tougher,” Hasenstein said. “He kind of holds things together on our defensive line. Zack (Kaiser) played well in his place, but then they really picked up the pressure for the last 10 minutes.”

That pressure was reflected statistically. Batavia finished with a 22-8 lead for overall attempts and a 9-6 edge in shots on goal.

“I thought we got much more comfortable in the second half," said Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco. "We kept our shape, connected passes, were composed and held our shape. We thought their back line was a little flat and tried to take advantage of that. Pressing their back line helped lead to that goal.

“Our back line played well, with Nick (Konopacki) working hard, and Joe (Jorgenson) in the middle was solid with the ball. Plus both keepers did their jobs well.”Both Faraone and Fiddelke made a trio of saves in each half and shared the shutout.Starting lineupsBataviaGK: John Faraone; defenders: Joe Jorgenson, Nick Konopacki, Nathan Carey, Daniel Zagoren and Adam Heinz; midfielders: Ian Larson, Luke Laurich and Brandon Yunker; forwards: Kevin Collins and Erik Faessler.